The final branch of the new scheme, ‘newcomer investment’, will help rising stars who break into the top 125 for the first time in their careers. The up-and-comers will receive £157k ($200k) of funding, paid in advance of the following season and offset against their prize money earnings.
Given that a lot of the players inside the world’s top 250 are expected to earn at least their minimum wage in a single season, the ATP is expecting that the new scheme will help between 30 to 45 players per season to give them better certainty, invest in their teams and help them focus on the sport and any recovery from injury.
World No 19 Grigor Dimitrov, who currently sits on the ATP Player Council, branded the scheme a “game-changer”. He said: “Knowing that we have a safety net through the minimum guarantee and injury protection pillars gives us peace of mind, allowing us to focus on our game and strive for success. This truly shows the ATP’s commitment to the players and the future of our sport.”